Oregon Shopping Mall Mass Shooting: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

Three people are dead in a mass shooting at the Clackamas Town Center shopping mall in Portland, Oregon — which was crowded with holiday shoppers when all hell broke loose today.

Here’s what we know so far.

Stay tuned for more info and photos.

1. It Was a Masked Gunman
Several witnesses described the shooter wearing a “white hockey mask,” camouflage or black clothing and a bulletproof vest. Speaking with KATU.com around 9:15 p.m. in a live broadcast, a witness named Amber said she was in the Macy’s parking lot when she saw the gunman “running toward the mall, looking at us. I was shocked he didn’t shoot us. … We’re counting our blessings right now.”
2. There Was A Hail of Gunfire
As many as 60 shots were fired, according to certain witnesses. Others reported 12-15 shots. At first several mall-goers believed they were hearing balloons popping rather than gunshots. There was a kids’ concert happening elsewhere in the mall. Witnesses said the gunman screamed “I am the shooter! I am the shooter!”
3. Three People Are Dead & One Victim is in Serious Condition
The gunman and two others are dead. None has been identified. In addition, one victim is wounded. Fox 12 reports the wounded victim is a girl about 18 years old. OBP.org’s live-blog coverage reported at 8:32 p.m. local time that “The patient’s family has given OHSU permission to confirm the patient is female and in serious condition.”

4. The Gunman Killed Himself
Police, who previously described the gunman as “neutralized,” revealed in an evening press conference (9:30 p.m. EST) that the shooter died of a “self-inflicted gunshot wound.” Clackamas County Sheriff’s Lt. James Rhodes said there were “no rounds fired by law enforcement today, in the mall.” Sgt. Adam Phillips (above), who fielded reporters’ questions, said he didn’t “have any information” about the shooter — saying only that he was an “adult male.” Witnesses told Fox 12 the shooter was a “tall, slender man.”
5. The Gunman Used an AR-15 Type Assault Rifle6. Police Got the Call at 3:20 p.m. Local Time7. The Gunman Opened Fire Near the Food Court

KATU screenshot.

8. Shoppers Took Refuge in Stores, Hiding from the Shooter

KATU reporter: Santa Claus in mall “dropped to his knees” when shooting began at Portland, Oregon shopping center, unsure if he was shot

The mall was packed with holiday shoppers who ran for their lives as the shots rang out.

9. There Was Only One Shooter
Though police took precautions and warily examined the crowds for possible accomplices, they now are certain that the shooter acted alone.
10. Witnesses Tweeted from the Scene
Twitter exploded with news of the shooting, but the most powerful tweets are those that came from survivors of the tragedy.